Sky events for Zimbabwe

What to look out for in the night sky from November 2026 to November 2027. Times are Central Africa Time and directions are for Zimbabwe, computed with Astronomy Engine and checked against NASA, the IMO and others.

November 2026

16 NovMars and Jupiter side by side before dawn
The two planets pass just over a degree apart, about two finger-widths at arm’s length, high in the north-east before sunrise.

December 2026

21 DecDecember solstice: the longest day
The Sun reaches its southernmost point. In Zimbabwe this is the longest day and the start of astronomical summer.

January 2027

3 JanVenus at its best as the morning star
Venus reaches greatest western elongation, 47 degrees from the Sun, and blazes in the east before dawn.

February 2027

March 2027

17 MarMercury’s best morning showing of the year
Mercury reaches 28 degrees from the Sun and climbs unusually high in the eastern dawn sky, below brilliant Venus.

May 2027

28 MayMercury in the evening sky
Mercury reaches 23 degrees east of the Sun and can be spotted low in the west-north-west after sunset.

June 2027

21 JunJune solstice: the shortest day
The Sun reaches its northernmost point. In Zimbabwe this is the shortest day and the start of the long, clear winter observing season.

August 2027

2 AugTotal solar eclipse (not visible from Zimbabwe)
One of the longest total eclipses of the century crosses North Africa and Arabia. It cannot be seen from Zimbabwe, but you can watch it live online.

September 2027

25 SeptMercury’s best evening showing of the year
Mercury reaches 26 degrees east of the Sun and stands well up in the west after sunset.

October 2027

18 OctSaturn at opposition
Saturn is up all night and at its brightest for the year. Its rings are nearly edge-on, a rare sight.

November 2027

25 NovVenus and Mars very close in the evening
Brilliant Venus and faint orange Mars pass just a third of a degree apart, closer than the width of the full Moon.

See tonight’s planets for your town